A break in the storms

Spokane drivers can relax their grip on the wheel: A break is expected in the series of storms that have brought rain and snow to the region for more than a week.

The inch or so of snow that fell at Spokane International Airport may be the last significant accumulation through the weekend and possibly beyond, forecasters said. Two inches of snow fell Thursday in Coeur d’Alene.

Today’s forecast calls for only a slight chance of snow showers through tonight in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The biggest driving threat comes late Saturday when freezing fog may be a problem. The next chance of snow comes Monday, but computer models suggest any snow then would be light.

Temperatures are supposed to remain cold with highs through Saturday in the mid-20s and lows in the teens, about 10 degrees below normal.

About 50 accidents were reported in the Spokane area Thursday, compared with nearly 400 on Sunday and Monday.